If you’re not halfway to a panic attack right now, are you even in e-commerce?

This week the universe decided to spice things up: Australia Post and Sendle have hit pause on shipping to the US. Why? Because duties and taxes now need to be collected upfront before anything leaves Australia.

And of course, this happens right before Black Friday. Classic.

So, here’s the game plan to keep those parcels moving (and your sanity intact):

1. Meet Your New BFF: Zonos
Every store needs a Zonos account connected to Shopify. That way duties and taxes are sorted before parcels fly out the door. Depending on your plan, you either cover the cost or your customer does. Either way, no Zonos = no shipping.

2. HS Codes: Boring But Non-Negotiable
HS codes may be dull, but customs loves them. If they’re wrong, your parcels will sit in a warehouse gathering dust.

Also: be honest about country of origin. If it’s made in China, comes through Australia, and then off to the US — just say so. Customs will find out anyway.

3. Free Gifts Aren’t Free (to Customs)
That little freebie you add to orders? It needs a declared value. And no, “$0” won’t cut it. Put at least $1.50 on your customs forms. It feels silly, but it saves you weeks of hold-ups.

4. DHL’s Black Friday Plot Twist
From October to February, DHL is charging extra. The upside is that it funds additional customer support if packages get stuck.

Pro tip: always tick duties and taxes paid. It saves headaches later.

5. Think Like a Big Brand (Even If You’re Not One Yet)
Big retailers are dodging this whole mess by setting up 3PL distribution centres in the US. If you’re shipping small volumes, don’t stress. But if you’re scaling fast, it’s time to start thinking stateside.

The Checklist

• Get Zonos sorted
• Update HS codes and country of origin
• Put a value on free gifts
• Budget for DHL surcharges
• Expect slower and more expensive shipping into peak season

We can’t control the chaos, but we can prepare for it. Ride the wave, keep your customers informed, and remember: fluffy jackets make crisis management 50 percent more tolerable.

What a time to be alive.

— Em